Umbrella



(NoModel.) l

W. E. MOULTON. UMBRBLLA.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER E. M-OULTON, OF SHELBY, OHIO.

U M BRELLA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 599,623, dated February22, 1898. Application filed November 3, 18.97. Serial No. 657,251. I (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER E. MoULroN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Shelby, in the county of Richland and State of. Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Umbrellas, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements in umbrellas, theconstruction and advantages of which will be hereinafter fully setforth, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of so much of an umbrella-frame asis necessary to the proper illustration of my invention; Fig. 2, abottom plan view of the top notch, a portion thereof being broken away;Fig. 3, a sectional view showing a modified form of the top notch; Fig.4, a perspective view of the runner; Fig. 5, a cross-sectional View' onthe line `1 l of Fig. l; Fig. 6, a similar view on the line 2 2; Fig. 7,a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of one of the ribs with astretcher attached and in its closed position; Fig. 8, a cross-sectionalview of the rib with the attached stretcher, the stretcher being openedout; Fig. 9, a front face view of a portion of a stretcher and rib, andFig. l0 a cross-sectional view of the rib and stretcher shown in theirclosed position.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide a simple and strongumbrella, one which may be rolled into a' small compass when closed;secondly, to provide a new form of bearing for the endsof the ribs andstretchers in the top notch and runner, respectively; thirdly, toprovide a new form of joint for the rib and stretcher, and, lastly, toprovide suitable and simple means for holding the runner either in itselevated or closed position.

With these ends in view I have devised the construction illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein- A denotes the stick or rod of theumbrella, which may, as preferred, be formed of wood or of metallictubing.

Referring particularly to Figs. l and 2, B denotes a sleeve or collar ofsuch internal diameter as to closely lit upon the rod A. It is formed atits lower end with an upturned lip C, U -shaped in cross-section,forminga channel ytop notch, Fig. 1.

or groove D. Radial slots E are cut through the lip O, as many of theseslots being formed as desired, corresponding to the number of ribs whichare to be employed.

F denotes one of the ribs, formed, as shown, at its upper end with aspherical end G, connected to the body of the rib by a narrow neck H.When in position, the spherical ends are seated within the channel D,the flat necks II fitting in and extending through the radial slots E.

Intermediate each of the spherical ends G and seated within the channelD is a ball I, (see Fig. 2,) the parts being so proportioned that thespherical surfaces come into contact l with each other throughout theentire series around the channel, While at the same time they t closelyto the bottom and side walls of the channel.

To maintain the part-s in their proper position within the channel,awasher J is slipped down around the sleeve B and bears directly uponthe spherical ends of the ribs and the balls. A cap K is employed tohold the washer in place, and the covering of the umbrella may also beheld between the upper face of the washer and the cap. A through-pin Lis passed through the cap, sleeve, and stick to v secure the parts inproper relation.

In Fig. 3 Aa modified form of the top notch is shown, theribsbein'g'secured in a channel or groove M, formed integral with acollar N, the collar being slipped downA over a sleeve O and the twobeing secured to the stick by a pin, as above. The balls are alsoemployed in the channel between the spherical ends, as in the formerconstruction, the two being described as merely illustrative of manyforms in which the balls can be employed for support and holding thespherical ends of the ribs.

Referring to Figs. l, 4, 5, and 6, I will now describe the constructionof the runner.

P indicates the body of the runner, the upper end of which is turned orcurved over, forming a channel for the reception of the spherical ends Qof the stretchers R. As is the case with the top notch, balls are placedbetween the spherical ends within the channel or groove, the stretcherends and channel being the same as in the construction of the To holdthe ends and ballsk IOO in place, a sleeve S is employed, the sleevebeing formed with an internal recess or slot T, Figs and 5,extendinglongitudinally thereof. A stud or projection U is provided or formedupon the body of the runner and is designed to pass down through saidrecess or slot T as the sleeve S is pushed up into position against thespherical ends Q and the balls. The parts are so proportioned that whenthe sleeve comes to place the stud U will have just cleared the slot,and a slight turn will lock the collar in place. Upon the lower end ofthe body I), I secure a collar V, formed with a closed slot XV, intowhich projects a pin X, carried by the body I). This pin not only servesto hold the collar in place,but also limits its distance of rotationabout the body. Preferably upon that side of the collar opposite theslot it is cut away, forming an opening Y, and to said collar is affixeda spring-arm Z, carrying at its free end a detent d, designed to passthrough said opening Y and through a similar opening in the runner intoa recess b, formed in the stick. There are two of these recesses b, oneat the upper end and one at the lower end in position, to hold therunner elevated and the umbrella open or the runner down and theumbrella closed.

In Figs. l, l, and 6 the collar is shown in such position that thedetent is in engagement with the recess in the stick; but by a slightturn imparted to the collar the detent is easily withdrawn from therecess and the runner may be raised or lowered. To facilitate the rotarymovement, a portion of the collar is raised and milled, as at c.

The formation of the joint between the rib and the stretcher is shown indetail in Figs. 7, S, and Q.

The outer end of the stretcher is provided with a spherical head cl,similar to that formed at its inner end, a comparatively narrow neck eforming the connection between said head and the body of the stretcher.

Rib F, which is of the usual form and substantially U shape incross-section, has formed in it a socket f, designed to receive the headd and to hold the same. This socket may be formed in any desired manner,the rib being enlarged bya die, and after the head is in place the edgesof the ribs be drawn in over the same, thus securely holding it inplace,while at the same time permitting afree swinging movement of oneor the other.

The stretcher, as shown most clearly in Figs. 7 and l0, is designed tofold down into the rib when the parts are closed, and to this end thebody g of the stretcher is given such shape that it will readily enterthe rib. It is, however, preferably provided with an enlarged head orcross-ange 7L to impart the necessary rigidity.

Vith the construction of the parts as above set forth a superiorumbrella is produced.

The balls I in the top notch and in the runner serve to render theopening and closing movements of the umbrella light and also at i thesame time assist in supporting the ends of the ribs and stretchersagainst any unusual strains.

The locking device for the runner also avoids the necessity of formingthe usual long slots in the stick, which are necessary when the ordinaryspring-catch is employed, the slots being a great element of weakness,especially with the wooden-stick construction.

The ball-and-socket connection for the rib and stretcher, formed fromthe two elements solely, without the intervention or employment of otherparts, is of the greatest importance, not only in manufacture of thedevice, but in its use. There are absolutely no part-s to becomedetached and nothing to hold the moisture and induce rust. Aside fromthese advantages the construction is cheap and strong.

I claiml. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; a sleeve or collardesigned to be secured thereon; a groove or channel formed upon saidsleeve; radial slots cut into said channel; ribs or stretchers formedwith spherical heads seated within said groove; and balls also seatedwithin said groove intermediate the spherical heads.

2. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; a sleeve secured theretoand provided with an annular groove or channel; radial slots cut intosaid groove; ribs or stretchers formed with spherical heads, said headsbeing seated within the groove; spacing-balls also seated within thegroove intermediate the spherical heads; and means for retaining saidparts in their proper relation.

3. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; a sleeve secured theretoand provided with an annular groove or channel; radial slots cut intosaid channel; ribs or stretchers formed with spherical heads, said headsbeing seated in said channel; balls also seated in said grooveintermediate said heads; a washer fitting over the open side of saidchannel and serving to hold said heads and balls in place, and means forholding said washer upon said groove.

4. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; recesses formed thereinnear its upper and lower ends; a runner mounted on the stick; a sleeverotatably mounted upon the runner; openings in the sleeve and runner;and a spring-detent carried by the sleeve and movable therewith designedto enter the openings and lock the parts together.

5. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; recesses formed thereinnear its upper and lower ends; a runner mounted on the stick; a sleeverotatably mounted on said runner; openings in the runner and sleeve inline with the openings in the stick; a spring-detent carried by thesleeve to pass through the openings and lock the parts together; andmeans for limiting the rotation of the sleeve.

6. In an umbrella, the combination of a stick; recesses formed thereinnear its upper IIO and lower ends; a runner mounted on said stick; asleeve, V, rotatably mounted on the runner; a slot, W, formed in thesleeve a pin extending from the runner into said slot;

= openings in the runner andcollar in line with the recesses in thestick; a spring-arm, Z, affixed to the sleeve; and a detent carried bythe free end of the arm in line with the openings and designed to entertherein.

7. The combination of an umbrella-rib having a spherical socket formedintegral therewith, and a stretcher having a spherical head seated insaid socket and held thereby against longitudinal movement.

8. In combination with a rib of an umbrella,

substantially U shape in cross-section; a socket struck up out of thebody thereof; and

a stretcher provided with a spherical end;

are folded down.

In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand 3o in the presence of twoWitnesses.

t WALTER E. MOULTON.

Witnesses:

C. A. GRAVES,

O.- L. SHORICK

